This year’s flu season is here

This year’s flu season is here. In recent weeks, the number of influenza cases reported to the Public Health Agency has increased, albeit from low levels, the agency writes in a press release.

Last week, the number of cases increased by 64 percent compared to the previous week, and of the cases analyzed so far, most have been type A.

Influenza spreads mainly during the winter months and causes symptoms such as fever, muscle aches, cough and runny nose. For the vast majority, the symptoms go away on their own after about a week, but for some the disease can be more serious.

The Public Health Authority recommends people who are 65 years of age or older, pregnant or belong to another risk group to get vaccinated to protect themselves against serious illness.

“We want to urge all people covered by the recommendation to get vaccinated as soon as possible against both influenza and covid-19 in order to have good protection during the time when the virus circulates the most,” says state epidemiologist Magnus Gisslén in a comment.